The 39 Essential Rules of Kitchen Design (Illustrated)

25/02/2019 The 39 Essential Rules of Kitchen Design (Illustrated) | RENOMART
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THE 39 ESSENTIAL RULES OF KITCHEN

DESIGN (ILLUSTRATED)
Let’s face it, if you do not know the fundamental rules of kitchen design, then
designing your kitchen layout can be harder than Chinese algebra!
So, I am going to make your job that little bit easier for you. Here is a summary
of 39 kitchen design rules that will help you. I have listed below what I think are
the most important considerations when designing a kitchen.
Memorize or bookmark (Ctrl+D) these kitchen layout rules and use it in

conjunction with your own kitchen layout. These rules are not set in concrete
and you can vary the distances but they should be considered minimum
workable distances.
Rule 1 Your kitchen should not be the main thoroughfare to the rest of

your home. This means foot tra c should not cross the kitchen work
triangle. (An exception can be made for the refrigerator).
In Figure 1 (below) you can see that the wall oven is located to the left of the
hallway door and that foot tra c intersects the work triangle. As this is a
main thoroughfare to the rest of the house, it is important to move the oven
to a safer area.
https://renomart.com.au/kitchen-design/39-essential-guidelines-kitchen-design/ 1/16
Fig. 1 - Foot tra c crosses the work triangle
In Figure 2 (below) the wall oven does not become a safety issue as we have
swapped the wall oven position with the refrigerator.
The new position of the wall oven will also satisfy kitchen Rule #18 (a
minimum 400 mm (16″) set down space is required beside an oven).
The new position of the refrigerator will also satisfy kitchen Rule#22 (A
minimum of 400 mm (16″) landing space is required on the door opening
side of a fridge).
Fig. 2 - The wall oven is moved to a safer location
Note that it is OK for a refrigerator to be outside of the work triangle as this

minimises frequent visits by other members of the family interrupting your
cooking or preparation activities.
Rule 2 The total length of the work triangle (the cumulative distance
between the cooktop / fridge / sink) should not exceed 7000 mm (23′).
The ideal length of the work triangle lies between 4000 mm (13′) and 6000
mm (19′).
The kitchen work triangle is measured from the centres of the oven/cooktop, sink and fridge. Can you
spot a kitchen design rule error in this drawing?
For those with large kitchens, consider having 2 or 3 separate zones.
Rule 3 The minimum opening between cabinets in a doorway should be

800 mm (31 1/2″).
Rule 4 – Appliance doors or entry doors should not interfere with the work
centres.
Rule 5 You should not place a full height cabinet or appliance between any
two of the major work centres.
Figure 1 (below) shows the refrigerator dividing the cleaning work centre
and the cooking work centre. The refrigerator needs to be moved
elsewhere.
Fig. 1
Figure 2 (below) shows the refrigerator moved to the left of the cleaning
work centre. This is a much more favourable kitchen layout as the bench
space is now continuous.
Fig. 2
Rule 6 – A minimum of 1000 mm (39″) of oor space between countertops

is recommended (1200 mm or 47″ is preferred).
900 mm (36″) would be the minimum distance between a run of cabinets

and a kitchen island in a one cook kitchen.
Rule 7 – If there are two cooks in the kitchen a minimum of 1200 mm (47″)
is required for one person to edge past the other by turning and passing
with bodies parallel.
Rule 8 – For two people to pass with ease, a 1500 mm (59″) between
countertops is required.
Rule 9 – The sink should be in the centre of the work triangle as it is the
most used area in the kitchen.
Rule 10 – At least 300 mm (12″) of counter space should be allowed from
the edge of the sink to the inside corner of the counter top.
Rule 11 – The sink area should have counter space either side of it.
The total workspace should be a minimum of 1050 mm (41″).
Rule 12 – When placing a dishwasher near a corner, allow at least a 500 mm

(20″) space from the corner for ease of access.
Rule 13 – You must allow standing space in front of the dishwasher for
unloading.
Rule 14 – The minimum safe distance from a window to an electric cooktop
should be 400 mm (16″).
The minimum safe distance from a window to a gas cooktop should be 500
mm (20″). (Best to check with local government guidelines in your area).
Rule 15 – The minimum landing space either side of a cooktop is 300 mm

(12″).
Rule 16 – At least 300 mm (12″) of counter space should be allowed from
the edge of the cooking surface to the inside corner of the counter top.
The minimum distance from the cooktop to the inside benchtop corner is 300mm (12")
Rule 17 – Extraction of air is required at cooking surfaces.
Extraction of air is important. I like to use a larger size rangehood than the cooktop.
Rule 18 – A minimum 400 mm (16″) set down space is required beside an
oven.
If this is not possible then a benchtop within 1200 mm (47″) of the oven is
OK (except where this crosses a major walkway).
Make sure you have plenty of room either side of the oven for setting down cookware
Rule 19 – A minimum 400 mm (16″) set down space is required beside a
microwave oven.
If this is not possible then a benchtop within 1200 mm (47″) of the oven is
OK. (except where this crosses a major walkway).
Rule 20 – Try and keep the microwave within the most active part of the
kitchen.
Rule 21 – The height of the microwave (base) above the oor should be
between 900 mm (36″) and 1250 mm (49″).
Rule 22 – A minimum of 400 mm (16″) landing space is required on the

door opening side of a fridge.
If this is not possible then a benchtop within 1200 mm (47″) of the fridge is
OK (except where this crosses a major walkway).
Rule 23 – Consideration to the location of services requires careful

planning. To prevent appliances (i.e dishwashers etc) projecting past the
countertop you must place the services in a cabinet beside the appliance.
Rule 24 – Smoke detectors should be installed in the appropriate location

for the type used.
Rule 25 – Consider installing a re extinguisher and re blanket which is

easily accessible in the kitchen.
Rule 26 – The preparation area should be a minimum of 900 mm (36″) in

width.
Rule 27 – Likewise, the serving area should be a minimum of 900 mm (36″)
width.
Rule 28 – If there are two cooks and you don’t have 2 separate 900 mm
(36″) wide preparation areas, a consolidated area of 1500 mm (59″) wide is
good.
Rule 29 – Store regularly used items between eye and hip level.
Rule 30 – 1800 mm (71″) from the oor is considered to be the maximum

safe storage height.
Rule 31 – You should consider items to be stored at the rst or last place of
use. Heavy equipment should be stored near oor level.
Rule 32 – When considering the countertop height, it should be designed

for the cook to work without raising the hand above the elbow.
Rule 33 – The minimum chair pullout distance from the table to the wall is
600 mm (24″).
Rule 34 – A minimum of 900 mm (36″) in depth allows another to person to

edge behind a seated diner.
Rule 35 – A minimum of 1100 mm (43″) in depth provides walking space

behind a seated diner.
Rule 36 – Always comply with manufacturers installation instructions for

appliances.
Rule 37 – All kitchen designs should comply with national kitchen standards.
Rule 38 – When working out natural lighting for the kitchen a good rule of
thumb is no less than 10% of the kitchen oor area.
Rule 39 – Natural ventilation should be provided by windows, doors or

other devices that can be opened and closed.
Allow for a minimum of 5% of the total oor area.
Xpress
Kitchen Range
Your affordable at pack kitchen

solution by Kinsman Xpress Range
kinsman.com.au
Xpress
Kitchen Range
Your affordable at pack kitchen

solution by Kinsman Xpress Range
kinsman.com.au
The 39 Essential Rules Of Kitchen Design (Illustrated)
Standard Dimensions For Australian Kitchens (Illustrated)
Painting Kitchen Cabinets
Australian Kitchen Standards
PRIVACY TERMS & CONDITIONS
COPYRIGHT © 2006 - 2019 - WEBSITE DESIGN BY KEVIN SORBY

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25/02/2019 The 39 Essential Rules of Kitchen Design (Illustrated) | RENOMART

THE 39 ESSENTIAL RULES OF KITCHEN

Memorize or bookmark (Ctrl+D) these kitchen layout rules and use it in

Rule 1 Your kitchen should not be the main thoroughfare to the rest of

Fig. 1 - Foot tra c crosses the work triangle

Fig. 2 - The wall oven is moved to a safer location

Note that it is OK for a refrigerator to be outside of the work triangle as this

For those with large kitchens, consider having 2 or 3 separate zones.

Rule 3 The minimum opening between cabinets in a doorway should be

Rule 6 – A minimum of 1000 mm (39″) of oor space between countertops

900 mm (36″) would be the minimum distance between a run of cabinets

The total workspace should be a minimum of 1050 mm (41″).

Rule 12 – When placing a dishwasher near a corner, allow at least a 500 mm

Rule 15 – The minimum landing space either side of a cooktop is 300 mm

Rule 17 – Extraction of air is required at cooking surfaces.

Rule 22 – A minimum of 400 mm (16″) landing space is required on the

Rule 23 – Consideration to the location of services requires careful

Rule 24 – Smoke detectors should be installed in the appropriate location

Rule 25 – Consider installing a re extinguisher and re blanket which is

Rule 26 – The preparation area should be a minimum of 900 mm (36″) in

Rule 30 – 1800 mm (71″) from the oor is considered to be the maximum

Rule 32 – When considering the countertop height, it should be designed

Rule 34 – A minimum of 900 mm (36″) in depth allows another to person to

Rule 35 – A minimum of 1100 mm (43″) in depth provides walking space

Rule 36 – Always comply with manufacturers installation instructions for

Rule 39 – Natural ventilation should be provided by windows, doors or

Allow for a minimum of 5% of the total oor area.

Your affordable at pack kitchen

Your affordable at pack kitchen

Standard Dimensions For Australian Kitchens (Illustrated)

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Australian Kitchen Standards

PRIVACY TERMS & CONDITIONS

COPYRIGHT © 2006 - 2019 - WEBSITE DESIGN BY KEVIN SORBY

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